Why It Matters
Riot Platforms Inc., a U.S.-based Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company, more than doubled its combined lobbying spending in the third quarter of 2026. In the second quarter, the firm spent $180,000, and in the third quarter, the amount reached $470,000.
By the Numbers
Riot reported $390,000 on its in-house third-quarter filing and $80,000 through outside firm Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. The in-house figure is up $290,000 from the second quarter of 2026 and up $280,000 from the third quarter of 2025.
The in-house filing lists one lobbyist: Brian Morgenstern, senior vice president, who was previously associated with Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11) and served on the House Natural Resources Committee during the 109th Congress.
Broader Context
The increased expenditure comes at a time when Congress is increasingly focused on the role of data centers and AI in the American political framework. On June 1, the Senate placed H.R. 3633, or the "Digital Asset Market Clarity Act," meant to establish a "regulatory framework for digital commodities," on its calendar and took up a motion to proceed on Aug. 8; however, a cloture vote on that motion is the latest listed Senate action.
In April 2026, the Blockchain Association, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and more than 120 digital-asset organizations urged the Senate Banking Committee to advance the bill, arguing it would provide regulatory clarity and help prevent investment and jobs from moving offshore. Opponents including the National Consumers League, Americans for Financial Reform, and Public Citizen urged Senate leaders in June 2026 to reject the bill, citing weak anti-money-laundering requirements and conflicts-of-interest concerns; the National Consumers League's John Breyault said consumers had lost "billions of dollars" to crypto scams and fraud, without identifying a source.
Taxation and data centers
In June 2026, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith presented a package of digital-asset tax bills, arguing unclear rules burden everyday use and that modernization would support U.S. competitiveness. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) introduced S. 4214, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, on March 25, which would pause construction of new data centers pending legislation; its committee or floor status as of Oct. 20, however, has not been established.
The Bottom Line
Brian Morgenstern is the only lobbyist listed on its in-house filings in all three quarters, but the effectiveness of the increased expenditure by Riot Platforms remains to be seen.
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